Heightened Independence & Progress (HIP): Supporting Independence Living for People with Disabilities

What is HIP?

HIP is a non-profit agency run by and for people with disabilities. Its purpose is to promote full inclusion and full accessibility for all people and to enhance the ability of every individual to live and work with maximum independence.

HIP was founded in 1980 as one of the first Centers for Independent Living in New Jersey. Two CILs comprise our umbrella organization, with locations in Bergen and Hudson Counties. We offer a variety of programs and services to people with disabilities through public and private funding. HIP’s work, extends beyond our two counties and several programs have multi-county, statewide and national impact.

HIP is governed by a Board of Trustees and staffed as well by people themselves have disabilities. They understand the needs of their peers and are constantly working within their communities on new approaches to enhance the independence of both individuals and families within our spheres of service.

What does HIP offer?

*Information, referral, advocacy and independent living skills training

*Resource on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other legislation

*Assistance with applications for transportation, housing, food stamps, home energy and other financial entitlement programs

*Funding for disability-related equipment and home modifications

*Care management, linking individuals and families to essential services

*Assistive technology demonstrations and “hands-on” instruction

*Peer support groups

*Leisure times activities

*Hispanic Outreach Program

*Providing Support Coordination services in partnership with the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

*Multimedia Transcription Service (MTS), which transcribes braille textbooks for students nationwide and other essentials documents for the public and private sectors

What is Independent Living?

Independent Living is based on the philosophy that all people have the right to determine how they can best live, work and play in the community. Centers for Independent Living are consumer-controlled, non-residential organizations that work to make changes in their communities to benefit people with disabilities locally and in the larger society.

Support for Heightened Independence & Progress:

HIP’s services are available to people with disabilities, their families and friends in Bergen and Hudson Counties and beyond. A consumer does not have to be a member of HIP to receive our services. Nevertheless, HIP has actively pursued a membership enrollment effort since its incorporation to provide our participants with a sense of proprietorship and to enable those who benefit from our programs and services to join the effort to extend these services to others. HIP also welcomes as members the families and friends of people with disabilities, professionals and volunteers in the field of disability and members of the community at large.

HIP receives funding from a variety of federal, state and local government agencies and is also financed by contributions from corporations, foundations, member dues and donations and by the gifts of supporters and friends.

How can I participate?

Contact us to learn more about how HIP’s services can help you, your family or the community. You may wish to become involved in our varied activities. You can enhance your own independent living or promote the concept of full inclusion by becoming an active HIP participant.

Heightened Independence & Progress:

Bergen County Central Office

131 Main Street, Suite 120

Hackensack, NJ  07601

Phone: (201) 996-9100

Fax: (201) 996-9422

Email: ber@hipcil.org

http://www.hipcil.org

Hudson County Branch Office

35 Journal Square, Suite 703

Jersey City, NJ  07306

Phone: (201) 533-4407

Fax: (201) 533-4421

Email: hud@hipcil.org

Disclaimer: This information was taken from a HIP pamphlet and I give them full credit on the information. Please call the above numbers for more information.